Newcastle United (A) - Sat 28th Sept, 12:30 | PL | Pre-Match Thread

[alexmcity]

Don't like the line-up, it's a bit too cautious and slow.

Apparently, the plan is to avoid counters as much as possible and then, when Newcastle are tired, to sub in more direct players. Hopefully it will work.

 

[Gorton_Tubster]

Even though i can't watch you, Come on City!

 

[MCFC1993]

Foden ??? What’s the difference in a season. Wow he has to start if fully fit for any team in my opinion

Well that's the issue isn't it?
He lacking in fitness and sharpness, the Watford game showed that.

He'll be given Bratislava and probably Fulham to get up to speed.

 

[Cheadle_hulmeBlue]

Hasn't looked fit when he's played.

Whatever he's had "illness" wise has been much, much more serious than we have been told imo. It looks like it's knocked him back and he's still a few weeks away from 100%.

Maybe. I think surely the best way to get that match fitness is to start games. I think he’s too important to leave out.

Walker hasn’t been fit, but kept getting picked.

 

[burnley blue mcfc]

If you saw him play against Watford you'd understand, he looked a yard slow.

Only one way of getting match fit mate?

 

[kaz7]

Not full of confidence with that line up. I know transitions are always a threat but I swear we drop more points to packed defences than counter attacks.

Starting to worry about the transition in future seasons. Doku/Savio/Foden need game time in these types of games. This current line up contains Walker, Gundo, Kovacic (all 30+) and Bernardo who’s wanted out for years. Grealish no spring chicken either. Need to be more forward thinking.

Berny wating to leave for years is a lazy thing to keep saying , he gives everything every game

 

[Dewey6]

Interesting line up, don't mind a conservative set up for this though. Cool heads in Grealish, Gundo and Silva. Control early please.

 

[IronsideKozuch]

Not full of confidence with that line up. I know transitions are always a threat but I swear we drop more points to packed defences than counter attacks.

Starting to worry about the transition in future seasons. Doku/Savio/Foden need game time in these types of games. This current line up contains Walker, Gundo, Kovacic (all 30+) and Bernardo who’s wanted out for years. Grealish no spring chicken either. Need to be more forward thinking.

Its zero problem, literally. Good mix of experience and determination. On the other hand you have plenty young players, Lewis, O'Reilly, Bobb ready to make a step up. At Real you had Modric, Kroos in the middle for years when both much over 30

 

[Gaz (FMwkdsoul)]

Thats the most 'control' XI i think we have. barring the false 9.

 

[hammocity]

I’m starting to think the same. He’s been fit for weeks now.

Maybe signing Gundogan has pushed him out of midfield?

I posted last week there's rumours that Phil is struggling mentally and the Club is concerned, I must stress it's "rumours" not my opinion. Another member of BM also brought to my attention he had posted that Phil had not been injured or that he was missing through "illness". I hope it isn't true obviously but his continued absence from the first team is worrying, he looked a shadow of last seasons player against Watford.